US4065654A - Microwave oven adjusting (energy distribution) and tuning arrangement - Google Patents

Microwave oven adjusting (energy distribution) and tuning arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
US4065654A
US4065654A US05/636,850 US63685075A US4065654A US 4065654 A US4065654 A US 4065654A US 63685075 A US63685075 A US 63685075A US 4065654 A US4065654 A US 4065654A
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United States
Prior art keywords
cavity
distribution
energy
recited
adjusting means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US05/636,850
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English (en)
Inventor
Donald G. Moore
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SPX Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Chemetron Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chemetron Corp filed Critical Chemetron Corp
Priority to US05/636,850 priority Critical patent/US4065654A/en
Priority to SE7611921A priority patent/SE7611921L/xx
Priority to CA264,499A priority patent/CA1073977A/en
Priority to GB47645/76A priority patent/GB1521369A/en
Priority to IT29716/76A priority patent/IT1064594B/it
Priority to AU20019/76A priority patent/AU504373B2/en
Priority to DE19762654114 priority patent/DE2654114A1/de
Priority to JP51143937A priority patent/JPS5267850A/ja
Priority to FR7636115A priority patent/FR2334262A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4065654A publication Critical patent/US4065654A/en
Assigned to CHEMETRON PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC. reassignment CHEMETRON PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE MARCH 24, 1980. Assignors: CHEMETRON-PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC.,
Assigned to AMCA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, DARTMOUTH NATIONAL BANK BLDG., HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03755, A CORP. reassignment AMCA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, DARTMOUTH NATIONAL BANK BLDG., HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03755, A CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: CHEMETRON PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC. A DE CORP.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/70—Feed lines
    • H05B6/705—Feed lines using microwave tuning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/6426—Aspects relating to the exterior of the microwave heating apparatus, e.g. metal casing, power cord
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/6447—Method of operation or details of the microwave heating apparatus related to the use of detectors or sensors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B40/00—Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates most generally to the field of heating systems and microwave ovens and more particularly to an adjusting and tuning arrangement provided within a microwave oven to accomplish desired energy distributions within the oven.
  • Such control is desirable in applications such as institutional feeding plans whereby a complete meal is elevated to serving temperatures in an efficient manner including items on a single tray which are to be served at different temperatures.
  • the oven system referred to previously includes such energy control distribution arrangements as an energy shield designed or arranged to interfit with elements of the tray to shield certain items on the tray from being heated, such as ice cream or milk.
  • a sensing element carried by the tray absorbs microwave energy along with certain food items on the tray and automatically controls the duration of the heating cycle in accordance with the requirements of the food items on the tray.
  • the sensor location and energy shield both provide some measure of control of the energy distribution of the system.
  • Another object is an adjusting and tuning arrangement that is variable to allow fine tuning to accomodate changes in load sizes.
  • Another object is an adjusting and tuning arrangement that is capable of simple assembly and adjustment to provide consistent, reliable distribution affects.
  • first electrically conductive generally planer element that is positioned near a boundary of the cavity of the electromagnetic oven, such as a side wall.
  • the first planar element is movable by a rotation about one horizontally oriented edge to provide energy distribution adjustment.
  • a second substantially smaller planar element fabricated from electrically conductive material is positioned above and aligned with the first element and is also rotatable independently from the first planar element to provide additional control of the energy distribution pattern within the oven cavity.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a microwave oven illustrating the adjusting and tuning arrangement of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the microwave oven of FIG. 1 illustrating the details of the adjusting and tuning arrangement of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the adjusting and tuning arrangement shown in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of th adjusting and tuning arrangement shown in FIG. 2.
  • the oven 100 is a Model 70/80 Menu Master (Registered Trademark) microwave oven sold by Litton Industries, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., modified to be suitable for the practice of the invention, although equivalent electromagnetic heating systems can be used as well.
  • Model 70/80 Menu Master Registered Trademark
  • the floor 102 of the oven 100 is constructed from a nonmagnetic electrically conductive material such as type 304 stainless steel or the like. Beneath the conductive floor 102 of the oven 100 there is mounted a control assembly 104 shown in phantom comprising a permanent magnet and reed switch detector or alternatively, a movalb permanent magnet and associated switch, as described, for example, in more detail in the patents referred to previously.
  • a control assembly 104 shown in phantom comprising a permanent magnet and reed switch detector or alternatively, a movalb permanent magnet and associated switch, as described, for example, in more detail in the patents referred to previously.
  • the oven 100 is designed to accept food items which are carried by a serving tray (not shown) of generally rectangular shape that carries a ferrite sensor assembly with a ferrite sensor element.
  • Food items which are not to be heated are placed within a rectangular portion of the tray that is defined by conductive strips on the tray and food items which are to be heated are placed within other regions or portions of the tray.
  • a boxlike electrically conductive shield (not shown) engages the conductive strips of the tray and protects the food items which are not to be heated from the electromagnetic energy that is developed within the oven 100.
  • a guide element 108 and the inner edge of an energy focussing element 106 comprising a portion of the wall of the cavity cooperate to position the tray within the oven so that the sensor assembly carried by the tray may be coupled in operative association with the detector 104.
  • the adjusting and tuning arrangement 150 in FIG. 1, is positioned on the side wall 110 of the oven and above focussing element 106.
  • the adjusting and tuning arrangement 150 which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 includes a first generally planar, electrically conductive element 152 which is suspended from the side wall 110 by a bendable bracket or hinge assembly 154 attached to the planar element 152 by rivets 155 and to the wall 110 by the rivets 159.
  • the first planar element 152 projects into the oven cavity above focussing means 106 at a predetermined acute angle ⁇ (beta) measured downwardly from a horizontal plane 157 through the hinge.
  • the element 152 is rotatable about the hinge axis 154 such that the free end 156, the edge opposite the hinge, can be positioned to a desired height above the floor 102 of the cavity.
  • the exact angle of deflection from the horizontal plane and accordingly the distance D of FIG. 2 from the edge of the element 152 to the oven floor 102 is adjusted to provide a desired final set of temperatures for a given set of food loads in a given oven, as will be explained in detail hereinafter.
  • the element 152 is positioned by an adjustment device such as nylon screw 158 which is carried by the element 152 by means of nut 160.
  • planar element 152 Upon rotation of the screw 158 which is positioned against the sloping wall 114 of the focussing member 106, the planar element 152 is rotated up or down to the desired point about the hinge 154. Planar adjusting element 152 is also spaced from the back rear wall 112 by a predetermined distance E (as shown in FIG. 4) to provide the proper energy distribution to the sensor 116 on a tray 117 (partially shown in FIG. 3), positioned on the floor 102 of the oven. The ferrite sensor member 116 of the sensor assembly carried by the tray should have a position relative to control element 152 as shown in phantom in FIG. 4.
  • a second generally planar electrically conductive element 175 is provided above the first element 152.
  • Element 175 is of substantially smaller area than that of element 152.
  • Element 175, positioned above element 152, extends in the same general direction into the oven cavity as element 152 but extends upwardly from the horizontal axis plane 157 at a predetermined angle ⁇ (alpha) and cooperates with element 152 in the adjustment and tuning of the oven so as to provide the desired energy distribution pattern.
  • the second control element 175 is provided with a bendable flange portion 176 which is mounted to the side wall 110 by means of the rivets 159.
  • a bead or beaded edge 178 is provided along the outer edge of element 175 which increases the radius or thickness of the planar element at its edge to reduce field intensity at that point.
  • the two elements 152 and 175 are independently rotatable so that individual adjustments of the energy distribution may be made without mechanically affecting the adjustment or tuning achieved by the other element.
  • the focussing means 106 on side wall 110 is distended into the heating cavity or alternatively an insert may be placed within the oven cavity and secured in electrically conductive relation to the wall.
  • This focussing means 106 covers about 50% of the surface area of the wall 110 anc comprises substantially planar sections.
  • the function of the sloping wall portion 114 is to create a nonuniform energy distribution pattern within the oven. In cooperation with the energy shield (not shown) that interfits on the tray, the portion 114 concentrates energy in the area of the sensor 116.
  • the adjusting and tuning arrangement of the present invention by means of the adjustment of planar elements 152 and 175 are utilized to accomodate differences in load items and oven characteristics.
  • the height at which the element 152 is mounted on the wall 110 by means of hinge 154 also accomplishes variations in the energy distribution pattern.
  • the back corner 180 of element 175 which is in proximity to the rear wall 112 may be bent upwardly or downwardly to accomplish uniform heating of the ferrite sensor at 116 as an alternative to repositioning the element 152 with respect to the back wall 112 as defined by dimension E.
  • the uniform heating of the ferrite sensor affects the off time or equalizing time of the microwave oven.
  • the depth or distance F (as shown in FIG. 4) that element 175 extends into the cavity or oven in one embodiment is approximately a quarter wavelength at the operating frequency of the electromagnetic oven that is utilized.
  • a transparent cover 190 (FIG. 3) is also provided to keep any dirt or particles from accumulating on the control elements 152 and 175 and is also useful to protect the adjustment of elements 152 and 175 from accidental jarring or disturbance.
  • the cover is fabricated from a material that has minimal effect on the energy delivered to the sensor assembly located at 116.
  • the overall shape of the cover is defined so as to cover the control elements 152 and 175 and extends downwardly along the outer boundaries of the control elements and focussing means 106 to enclose these elements.
  • a hole 191 in this cover is provided for adjustment of screw 158 with the cover in position.
  • adjusting and tuning arrangement in a microwave oven that adjusts the energy distribution or concentration within the oven cavity by means of two generally planar elements, one located above the other which are each independently rotatable about a horizontal mounting axis and capable of being positioned at different angles relative to the oven boundary walls to achieve a desired energy distribution between load items carried by the tray when inserted into the oven and to the sensor assembly carried by the tray to accomplish the proper heating of the articles.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Constitution Of High-Frequency Heating (AREA)
  • Electric Ovens (AREA)
US05/636,850 1975-12-01 1975-12-01 Microwave oven adjusting (energy distribution) and tuning arrangement Expired - Lifetime US4065654A (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/636,850 US4065654A (en) 1975-12-01 1975-12-01 Microwave oven adjusting (energy distribution) and tuning arrangement
SE7611921A SE7611921L (sv) 1975-12-01 1976-10-27 For mikrovagsugnar avsedd anordning for energifordelningsinstellning och avstemning
CA264,499A CA1073977A (en) 1975-12-01 1976-11-01 Microwave oven adjusting (energy distribution) and tuning arrangement
GB47645/76A GB1521369A (en) 1975-12-01 1976-11-16 Heating systems such as microwave ovens
IT29716/76A IT1064594B (it) 1975-12-01 1976-11-24 Apparecchiatura per regolare(la distribuzione di energia)e sintonizzare forni a microonde
AU20019/76A AU504373B2 (en) 1975-12-01 1976-11-25 Microwave energy adjuster
DE19762654114 DE2654114A1 (de) 1975-12-01 1976-11-29 Vorrichtung zum einstellen der energieverteilung in einem mikrowellenherd
JP51143937A JPS5267850A (en) 1975-12-01 1976-11-30 Microwave oven energy disribution regulator
FR7636115A FR2334262A1 (fr) 1975-12-01 1976-11-30 Mecanisme de reglage de la repartition de l'energie dans un four a micro-ondes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/636,850 US4065654A (en) 1975-12-01 1975-12-01 Microwave oven adjusting (energy distribution) and tuning arrangement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4065654A true US4065654A (en) 1977-12-27

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US05/636,850 Expired - Lifetime US4065654A (en) 1975-12-01 1975-12-01 Microwave oven adjusting (energy distribution) and tuning arrangement

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US4065654A (index.php)
JP (1) JPS5267850A (index.php)
AU (1) AU504373B2 (index.php)
CA (1) CA1073977A (index.php)
DE (1) DE2654114A1 (index.php)
FR (1) FR2334262A1 (index.php)
GB (1) GB1521369A (index.php)
IT (1) IT1064594B (index.php)
SE (1) SE7611921L (index.php)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4179595A (en) * 1976-08-19 1979-12-18 Saint-Gobain Industries Multimodal resonant cavity for very high frequency heating
US4249058A (en) * 1979-06-21 1981-02-03 Litton Systems, Inc. Feed system for a microwave oven
US4354083A (en) * 1980-11-05 1982-10-12 General Electric Company Microwave oven with novel energy distribution arrangement
US6607920B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2003-08-19 Cem Corporation Attenuator system for microwave-assisted chemical synthesis
US6649889B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2003-11-18 Cem Corporation Microwave-assisted chemical synthesis instrument with fixed tuning
US20040101441A1 (en) * 2002-11-26 2004-05-27 Cem Corporation Pressure measurement and relief for microwave-assisted chemical reactions
US6886408B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2005-05-03 Cem Corporation Pressure measurement in microwave-assisted chemical synthesis

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2201070A (en) * 1987-01-13 1988-08-17 Christopher John Cobham Smail Microwave cooking
CN1301040C (zh) * 1994-10-20 2007-02-14 松下电器产业株式会社 高频电波加热装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3271169A (en) * 1963-02-01 1966-09-06 Litton Prec Products Inc Food package for microwave heating
US3302632A (en) * 1963-12-06 1967-02-07 Wells Mfg Company Microwave cooking utensil
US3364331A (en) * 1965-02-17 1968-01-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Energy distribution system

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH393577A (de) * 1961-12-13 1965-06-15 Patelhold Patentverwertung Vorrichtung zum dielektrischen Erwärmen von Stoffen
FR1569046A (index.php) * 1968-03-29 1969-05-30
DE1947712C3 (de) * 1969-09-20 1979-03-01 Emag Eislinger Maschinenfabrik Gmbh, 7332 Eislingen Vorrichtung zum Verwenden von Mikrowellenenergie fur die dielektrische Erwärmung von Behandlungsgut
FR2259339A2 (en) * 1974-01-29 1975-08-22 Chemetron Corp Safety switch for microwave oven - cover over food items to be protected from heat interconnected with power switch

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3271169A (en) * 1963-02-01 1966-09-06 Litton Prec Products Inc Food package for microwave heating
US3302632A (en) * 1963-12-06 1967-02-07 Wells Mfg Company Microwave cooking utensil
US3364331A (en) * 1965-02-17 1968-01-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Energy distribution system

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4179595A (en) * 1976-08-19 1979-12-18 Saint-Gobain Industries Multimodal resonant cavity for very high frequency heating
US4249058A (en) * 1979-06-21 1981-02-03 Litton Systems, Inc. Feed system for a microwave oven
US4354083A (en) * 1980-11-05 1982-10-12 General Electric Company Microwave oven with novel energy distribution arrangement
US20050210987A1 (en) * 2001-01-31 2005-09-29 Jennings William E Pressure measurement in microwave-assisted chemical synthesis
US6649889B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2003-11-18 Cem Corporation Microwave-assisted chemical synthesis instrument with fixed tuning
US6713739B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2004-03-30 Cem Corporation Microwave-assisted chemical synthesis instrument with fixed tuning
US6753517B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2004-06-22 Cem Corporation Microwave-assisted chemical synthesis instrument with fixed tuning
US6886408B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2005-05-03 Cem Corporation Pressure measurement in microwave-assisted chemical synthesis
US6607920B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2003-08-19 Cem Corporation Attenuator system for microwave-assisted chemical synthesis
US6966226B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2005-11-22 Cem Corporation Pressure measurement in microwave-assisted chemical synthesis
US7208709B2 (en) 2001-01-31 2007-04-24 Cem Corporation Pressure measurement in microwave-assisted chemical synthesis
US20040101441A1 (en) * 2002-11-26 2004-05-27 Cem Corporation Pressure measurement and relief for microwave-assisted chemical reactions
US7144739B2 (en) 2002-11-26 2006-12-05 Cem Corporation Pressure measurement and relief for microwave-assisted chemical reactions

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1521369A (en) 1978-08-16
CA1073977A (en) 1980-03-18
DE2654114A1 (de) 1977-06-08
SE7611921L (sv) 1977-06-02
AU2001976A (en) 1978-06-01
FR2334262A1 (fr) 1977-07-01
FR2334262B1 (index.php) 1981-09-18
JPS5267850A (en) 1977-06-04
IT1064594B (it) 1985-02-18
AU504373B2 (en) 1979-10-11

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AS Assignment

Owner name: CHEMETRON PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC.

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:CHEMETRON-PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC.,;REEL/FRAME:003873/0520

Effective date: 19810227

AS Assignment

Owner name: AMCA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, DARTMOUTH NATIONAL

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CHEMETRON PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC. A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004188/0073

Effective date: 19830104